Nigeria have included Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho in their squad for this summer’s 2016 Rio Olympics.
City, however, will have to give permission for Iheanacho to be released to play for his country.
The Olympics interferes with the start of the Premier League season and it could see Iheanacho miss most of City’s pre-season as well as the opening weekend of the top flight.
The 19-year-old burst onto the scene last season, scoring 14 goals in all competitions, and is desperate to impress new boss Pep Guardiola.
Manchester Evening News reports that Iheanacho is eager to remain in Manchester in order to prove his worth to the coveted Spaniard.
Although, Nigeria U23 manager Samson Siasia has expressed his discontent with the situation.
The Nigeria Football Federation has written several letters to them wanting to know when the player would be released for the Games in Brazil but as I speak with you the club has not replied.
So for now I cannot confidently tell you that Iheanacho would be available for the Olympics, although we are not relenting on the issue as the NFF is fighting tooth and nail to ensure we have our best players for the Olympics.
A decision is yet to be made on whether Iheanacho will be released, but it is expected that the hot prospect will begin pre-season with the Sky Blues.
